Cağ kebabı (“Jah kebab”) is a unique type of kebab originating from the province of Erzurum. It is actually a variant of lamb doner kebab, which is cooked on a horizontal spit rather than a vertical one. Other meats (such as beef) are never used for its preparation.
The author of Cağ kebabı is unknown. It is believed that your answer will lead you to its roots in the 18th century. Currently, there are several types of masters (Usta) in this country who strive to create the perfect kebab, each of whom believes that their method is the most correct.
When ready, the cook puts the top layer on a special thin skewer and cuts it off. As a rule, Cağ kebabı is served by the “in-line” method: one skewer after another, so that the product is as fresh as possible.
It is served with vegetable salad, onion rings, yogurt and assorted bread. Of the drinks, ayran or shalgam is preferable (a sour drink popular among oriental peoples, obtained by fermenting red turnip juice, usually spicy, but not necessarily). It is not customary to drink alcohol with Cağ kebabı.
The standard price of one skewer of this kebab in Erzurum is 5-8 liras, and it can be more expensive in some places. Of course, you can find it in almost all major cities in Turkey, such as Istanbul or Ankara, but it is in its “homeland” that Cağ kebabı has the most authentic taste, thanks to centuries of practice in its preparation.
Where to find it
Kardeşler Oltu Cağ Kebabı
Address: Karaköse, Mumcu Cd. No:22, 25100 Yakutiye/Erzurum
Opening hours: 24/7
Price per skewer: 5 TL
Gel Gör Cağ Kebap Terminal Gelgör
Address: Lalapaşa Mahallesi, Kazımkarabekir Mahallesi, Akgün Sitesi Terminal Caddesi No:37, 25100 Yakutiye/Erzurum
Opening hours: 08:00 AM – 11:59 PM
Price per skewer: 10-12 TL
Erzurum Evleri
Address: İbrahim Paşa Mh., Yüzbaşı Reşit Bey Sokak, 25200 Yakutiye/Erzurum
Opening hours: 08:00 AM – 11:00 PM